Explainer – 6 – RER vs SER

Just like we need proteins and lipids for energy and a system for the digestion and transport of materials, similarly cell also have these demands which is fulfilled by the Endoplasmic Reticulum.

Endoplasmic Reticulum spreads like a network within the cytoplasm. This network like structure makes it play a key role in the synthesis and transport of lipids and proteins. We can say that ER is the digestive and transport system of the cell.

There are two types of ER

RER – Rough endoplasmic Reticulum

• RER looks rough because of the rough particles present in it called ribosomes.
•  Ribosomes are the sites of protein manufacturing.

SER – Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

• SER does not have ribosomes (rough looking particles) and therefore looks smooth.
•  They are the sites of fat synthesis.

In the next explainer we will talk about the post office of the cell, Golgi Apparatus.